Dangerously Charming (24 page)

He thought about it for a moment as they flew over the grassy ground. “Come to think of it, he would probably make a very good thief, should he turn his mind to it. Perhaps that could be a new career for him, now that he is no longer a Rider.” Strangely, saying those words didn't dig quite so deeply into his soul as it had a couple of months ago.

“Maybe you should suggest it to him,” Jenna gasped. “As soon as we stop galloping to the far ends of the Earth. Or the Otherworld. Whichever.”

Day couldn't believe she wasn't enjoying the ride. “I can't believe you ever want this to stop. It's the best feeling I know.” He thought for a moment. “Well, one of them, anyway.”

“Maybe that's because you're not a million months pregnant, give or take a month,” she said somewhat acerbically. “But if you don't want me to give birth on the back of your horse, I think maybe we should slow down as soon as you and Gregori think it is safe.”

Day didn't have the heart to tell her that it had probably been safe some miles past, but he did whistle loudly to signal his brother that it was time to ease up.

After all, he was pretty sure Krasivaya would object to the mess if Jenna meant what she said about going into labor. Nobody was ready for that, least of all him.

*   *   *

THEY
finally dismounted under a cluster of weeping willows by the side of a small but elegant creek so they could water the horses and catch their breath. Well, so Jenna could catch her breath; as far as she could tell, neither the men nor their horses seemed at all tired out by their mad dash through the countryside. If anything, they look energized by it all. Gregori may have a potential new career as a cat burglar, but Jenna was pretty sure that she would never cut it as a Rider.

“You've grown since last I saw you,” Gregori said, admiring her prominent belly. “How remarkable. The babe is well?”

“She seems to be, although without an obstetrician and an ultrasound, I'm not sure how I can know for certain.”

“You carry the child within you,” Gregori said in a no-argument tone. “You would know. Especially here.”

“Stop staring at her stomach and let's take a look at what you stole,” Mick said. “Thanks, by the way. We were just talking about how we were running short on time. It was nice of you to save us some.”

His brother shrugged. “I spoke to the neighbors, and it was clear that the owner would never give it up. The Key of Zoroaster is said to bestow great wisdom upon the one who controls it, although from the sound of it, the gem had had no such effect on its current bearer. Either way, it seemed more efficient to simply avoid the argument. Our need is great, after all.” He bowed his head in Jenna's direction, and his use of the word
our
spread a sense of warmth through her chest.

“Can I see it?” Jenna asked.

“Of course.” Gregori plucked the stolen treasure back out of his pouch. Jenna had to suppress a sigh of disappointment. This Key looked even less impressive than the other two. And it still didn't bear any resemblance to a key of any kind she'd ever seen.

She took the Key of Solomon and the Key of Merlin out of the front of her shirt—she'd been wearing them, since it
seemed like the best way not to lose them—and pulled them over her head, holding them out so the others could see them clearly. As Gregori handed her the final Key, a deep chiming sound could be heard, not coming from the gems themselves but seeming almost as though it echoed through the entire Otherworld.

“What the hell?” Mick said, his eyebrows rising.

“I was afraid of that,” his brother said.

The sound died away, and nothing else happened. Jenna gingerly put the trio of chains back around her neck. “What do we do now? I have the three Keys that you thought might represent the key mentioned in the riddle. How do I know which one of the three it is, or if it is even any of them?”

Mick shook his head. “A better question might be, ‘Afraid of what?'”

“Did you hear that sound?” Gregori said, a hint of grim inevitability in his voice.

“Of course we did,” Mick said. “We're not deaf. We heard that chiming noise each time we acquired one of the Keys, although it was never that loud before. I take it you think it is a bad thing?”

“Not exactly. In fact, I suspect it is probably a signal that Jenna is getting close to solving the curse. Unfortunately, it has almost certainly alerted Zilya.” Gregori's normally solemn face grew even more shadowed as he handed a scroll to Jenna.

“Before I could appear before the Queen, Zilya approached me and gave me this message to pass on to you,” he said. “Presumably, she figured that since Mikhail was helping you, I would be able to contact you.”

“That's ironic,” Mick muttered, “since before this week we hadn't seen or spoken to each other in months.”

“Irony aside, she was quite determined that I get this message into your hands,” Gregori said to Jenna. “I very much doubt it says, ‘Congratulations and good luck with the rest of the riddle.'”

Jenna unrolled the scroll with some trepidation, and as she read it she went first hot and then cold, a shiver running down the length of her spine. “Shit,” she said, and gave the scroll to Mick, who read it out loud.

“If you want your brother to live, come to the house of Larissa and Kelvin the elves at the place where the curve of the Phaedrus River meets the bottom of Farthingale Hill.”

“Shit indeed,” Gregori agreed. “I take it you have a brother?”

“Had,” Jenna said, bitterness filling her mouth. “I had a brother. My mother had to give him up to Zilya because of the curse. It was before I was born, so I never even met him. I have no idea what happened to him after Zilya took him. Presumably, she brought him here to the Otherworld, so it is possible she actually has him in her possession and could kill him if I don't do what she says.”

“It is almost certainly a trap,” Mick said. “As you said yourself, you have never even met this brother, if in fact she has him at all.”

Jenna bit her lip. “I know. But I can't risk it. I lost my brother once already. If there is any chance I could save him now, I have to go.”

Gregori's eyes glinted and one corner of his mouth twitched. “Who does she remind you of, my brother? I believe the cosmos is laughing at you.”

“If so,” Mick said with a glower, “I don't approve of its sense of humor.” He turned to her. “Jenna, are you sure we can't talk you out of going? You'll be putting your baby in danger.”

Jenna felt as though she was being torn in three different directions at once. How could she go when she knew that she would almost certainly be walking into the clutches of the faery who was determined to steal her child? But how could she not go, when there might be an opportunity to find—perhaps even to save—the brother her parents had given up so many years before? This might be her only chance to see him, and she'd wondered about him for so very long.

She gazed despairingly at the two men. “Tell me—if she
really does have my brother, would she truly kill him if I don't show up?”

They exchanged glances that told her the answer before Gregori even spoke.

“She is very angry and very frustrated. I do not believe there is any predicting what she might or might not do at this point. But she most assuredly does not mean you well, and it is clear she has no intention of abiding by the Queen's ruling.”

Day took her hand in one of his larger ones. “What do you want to do, Jenna? Whatever you choose, I will do my best to keep you safe.”

“As will I,” his brother said with a small bow.

“I have always resented my parents for giving him up,” Jenna said softly. “For letting him go without a fight. How can I do the same thing now, no matter the risk?”

“You are a very brave and determined woman,” Gregori said, pulling a sword in its sheath from a holder on his saddle and fastening it around his waist. “I have no doubt that you will triumph in this matter.”

Jenna thought that Mick didn't look so sure, but he, too, strapped on a sword and placed another impressively large knife on the opposite side of his belt.

“I hope I don't let you down,” he said in a voice so quiet she could barely hear it. “I couldn't live with myself if I did.”

A chill ran down her spine, almost as if another chime had rung out that only she could hear. What had she set into motion now?

DAY
and Gregori were both familiar with the address Zilya mentioned in her note, so they set off at a brisk trot. Farthingale Hill was no more than a half a day's ride from where they were now, nearly on top of the place where Day and Jenna had come through the doorway from the Enchanted Rock. Ironically, they'd come almost full circle, but in some ways, it seemed to Day as though they were no closer to the answers they needed than when they'd first arrived.

At least, not the answers Jenna needed to save her baby. Day had a better idea of what was happening to him physically, although he didn't know why or what on earth he was going to do about it. More questions he couldn't answer.

He ground his teeth, grateful that Jenna was facing forward and couldn't see him. He was certain his expression was not a pleasant one.

Frustration bubbled up like the murky potion the evil Brenna had stirred in her cauldron all those months ago. What good was his strength if he couldn't use it to help the person
he'd grown so attached to? He should have stuck to his vow to remain uninvolved and avoid women in need of rescue. Never mind that Jenna didn't expect him to rescue her and was perfectly determined to save her child on her own if necessary. Never mind that he had at least been able to come to her aid a few times. None of it was worth a hill of beans if in the end she lost that which she valued the most.

When had her life become so entwined with his own? Was it when she'd heard his story and looked at him without pity or scorn? Or when he'd felt the kick of little Turnip's tiny yet powerful foot against his hand? Certainly, the two nights they'd spent in each other's arms had opened his heart to the tendrils of fondness that now bound him to her, but it was more than that.

Somehow, without intending to, she had mended his broken spirit. Not completely, no. That journey would be long and probably take the rest of whatever time he had left. But because of her, he rode at his brother's side again. Because of her, he had stopped hiding and returned to the world to discover who and what he was. He had many questions, but she had given him the courage to seek out the answers, just by being the bright light that she was.

Day knew that she could never be his. Despite her insistence that she was no longer afraid of his change into something so blatantly magical, he had no illusions that she would want to raise her child around such a monster, especially if he could not learn how to control it—or even if it
could
be controlled. And as they rode toward this final confrontation, he had to confess (if only to himself) the ground-shaking truth he'd been avoiding for so long.

That this was what he wanted. To be with Jenna, to help raise her baby, to keep them both safe through days filled with sunlight and laughter and nights full of passion. Gods help him, the lonely Rider wanted to be lonely no longer.

Too bad it was impossible.

No, even if they managed to thwart Zilya, Jenna would
return home, where she belonged. Perhaps to the father of her child, if she could find a way to forgive him for his actions. Perhaps to find some normal Human man to share her life and all those glorious nights.

Acid burned down his throat and into his heart as he swallowed hard. Day was nothing if not a realist. Jenna could never be his, nor could she ever know that he had ever wished for such a thing. He couldn't bear it if she finally looked at him with pity in her eyes, all because the White Rider had fallen in love with a dark-haired, light-filled angel who would always be out of his reach. This time with her had been a gift that he would never be allowed to keep. All he asked of the universe now was the chance to do what he had sworn he had no interest in doing—save the only damsel in distress he had ever truly cared about.

If he could triumph in this, perhaps it would in some way redeem his soul from his previous errors. He couldn't undo the past, or the damage done to his brothers, but maybe, just maybe, he could give Jenna the future she deserved. That would be enough for him, no matter the cost.

When they arrived at their destination, they found Zilya waiting for them.

She was perched on top of the hill, overlooking a large, prosperous house with gabled peaks and lots of windows that looked out on a rolling lawn of blue grass dotted with Technicolor wildflowers. In front of the house they could see a boy of about nine or ten playing with a three-headed puppy. The faint sounds of laughter and barking in three-part harmony could be heard floating up the hillside.

It would have been an idyllic scene, if not for the wickedly sharp arrow Zilya held aimed directly at the boy, already nocked in the bow she held in competent-looking hands.

Zilya seemed quite pleased with herself when they came riding up and quietly dismounted a safe distance away from where she stood. Her smile grew even wider when she took in
Jenna's increased size, and Day had to fight the impulse to charge across the space between them and throttle her with his bare hands. Unfortunately, it was clear she would be able to get a shot off before he reached her, so he settled for growling under his breath, until Jenna put a calming hand on his arm.

She was right, of course; now was no time for him to lose control of his internal beast. Mindless violence wouldn't help them out of this one.

“Oh my,” Zilya said to Jenna. “You have been busy, you lovely thing. I so appreciate you making this even easier for me. I have never been a patient woman, alas.” She gave a mock sigh, still keeping most of her attention on the weapon she held aimed at the boy below.

“What is this all about, Zilya?” Day asked. “You've sent minions to try to claim the baby, and they failed. The Queen has forbidden you to touch Jenna yourself. There is nothing you can do.”

Zilya might be impatient, but even she wasn't crazy enough to disobey a direct order from the Queen. Skirt it? Yes. Turn herself into a contortionist to get around it? Certainly. But outright defiance? Even Zilya knew that would be suicide. One didn't live for thousands of years without developing a strong sense of self-preservation. He had no idea what the hell she thought she could achieve here.

“You might think that,” Zilya said, her dark crow's eyes gleaming. “But you would be wrong.” She laughed softly, a sound that reminded Day of a nest of snakes rustling together. “I am not going to do anything to Jenna. She is going to do it to herself.”

Day, Gregori, and Jenna exchanged glances.
What the hell?

Zilya turned to face Jenna, the bow and arrow rock steady in her slim white hands. “I hope you still have that lovely amulet I sent you. I believe you are going to want it.”

Jenna held up the medallion in its protective leather bag. “I have it,” she said. “Although, really, it's a little gaudy for my
tastes. Next time, perhaps you could send something in a nice sapphire?” While Zilya sputtered, Jenna pulled the three Keys out from underneath her shirt. “I also have the Key from the riddle,” she said. “I am ready to solve it and break this curse forever. Give it up, Zilya. You've lost.” She spoke so decisively, she almost had Day convinced, and he
knew
that she hadn't actually figured out the last part of the riddle yet. He was so proud of her in that moment, he thought his chest would burst wide open.

But Zilya just chuckled. “I think not,” she said with soft menace. “Look down there. I suspect you have always wondered what happened to your brother after your mother was forced to give him up.”

“So?” Jenna said. She seemed completely at ease, but Day could see the tension in the way she held her shoulders and the effort it took her not to clench her hands.

“So now you can meet him. If you do as I say. Of course, if you do not, you can watch him die right now.”

“You're bluffing,” Jenna scoffed. “My brother was born two years before me. He'd be thirty-one now. That child can't be more than ten. He's clearly not my brother, just some innocent little boy who happens to have dark hair and look a bit like me. I'm not falling for your trickery.”

Day peered down at the boy with his keen eyes, able to see farther and in greater detail than Jenna's merely Human vision could. For instance, he could make out the shape of the boy's face, whose delicate paleness and determined chin echoed the one he'd been staring at for days. But much harder to duplicate were the eyes; large and that unusual icy blue color Day had only seen on one person before, surrounded by the same long, dusky lashes.

Damn. Why couldn't anything be simple?

“Jenna,” he said quietly. “Remember the strange way that time can work here in the Otherworld. And take a good look at the boy's features. He's got your eyes.”

Gregori nodded impassively. “In truth, Jenna, the child resembles you greatly. Zilya has lied about many things, but I doubt very much that she is lying about this.”

Day watched Jenna carefully as her expressive face showed every emotion she was feeling. The confident look slid away to be replaced by hope, then fury, then fear. In the end, it held some feeling he couldn't read at all.

Zilya, watching all the transformations with arrogant satisfaction, nodded her head briskly. “You see? You have no choice.” She waggled the bow and arrow, still aimed at the boy, and said to Jenna, “You lost your brother once before. Will you stand by and lose him again when this time you have the power to prevent it? Or will you bow to the inevitable and simply place my claiming amulet around your neck? Once you have done so, I will gladly take you down to meet him.”

The faery practically radiated triumph, her white dandelion fluff hair crackling around her head like a storm cloud bringing with it doom and destruction. “You are young,” she said in a smooth oily tone. “You can have more children. But you will have only one brother. It is up to you: will he live or will he die?”

Day watched Jenna. Tears sprang into her eyes and she put one hand on her chest, as though she could keep the heart inside from breaking. He knew, better than most, how precious the life of a brother was. Zilya had given Jenna an impossible choice, damn the faery's cold and clever mind. He could see the moment when Jenna began to waver.

“I have let too many people down already,” Day said to Gregori, in a voice so quiet no one else could have heard it. “I could not bear it if I let Jenna down too.”

Gregori started to speak, but Day just shook his head minutely. “She brought me back to life and gave me back my soul. I will not let her make this sacrifice. She would never be able to live with herself. I will not have her go through one moment of the agony I have suffered in this last year.”

Jenna stood frozen for a moment, then slid the medallion out of its pouch and started to lift it, hands shaking uncontrollably, a single tear making a forlorn path down over her pale cheek.

“NO, Jenna!” Day yelled, and raced at Zilya, getting between her and the boy. He heard the snap of the bowstring and saw the flash of the pseudo-sun off the arrow, right before it buried itself deep in his chest. And then there was only pain.